That Was the (first) Week that Was

Here I am, lying on the floor of my home, cuddled up against a slipper and enjoying a nap. Sure, the human whose foot is in the slipper cannot move without disturbing me and even though it's only been seven days, it's clear to this person that I prefer to nap when I am napping and don't like to have to move. If I do, I cry. A little.

So, I'm here and I'm resting and I'm thinking back on the last week.

I think I've been clear about what has happened in and around me since I really met my mama (we'd met before the day she picked me up but the day that is seared into my little brain is the day she picked me up both literally and figuratively). It's been a week but it seems like it's been forever. In a good way.

I am really enjoying my new home, where I am the only puppy! Not that I didn't like growing up with my brother and lots of other puppies, but is so quiet here that I can get in some quality sleeping and napping. And, since I enjoy exploring,

I'm happy that there are so many new places for me to discover. I've already told you about my job doing the "clean up" around here and while it's an exhausting task, it's one that I take seriously. I've even squeezed my little body in places that you might not think a puppy should explore, but I have. I like doing that.

My mama and I have already (!) developed a routine where we go outside for a little while and she lets me walk on the nice soft grass and if I am a good boy and do something that she likes, I get a treat! I'm also a smart boy and I learned where mama kept the treats and so I try to get to the place that she puts them but I think there is a 'zipper' on it and so it's hard for me to get to the treats since I don't have opposable thumbs. Still, it's good to know that I will get a treat for doing "something".

And, I want to mention a really small problem: I don't know what "something" I'm supposed to do.

I know that we go outside, and I know I'm a good boy (mama tells me that all the time), but I'm not clear on what it would take to get a treat. It seems to me that if you are a good boy, this is sufficient, but I'm missing something about the process. Even though, as I said (and, to be clear, I'm not bragging; just stating a fact), I'm a smart boy, I still have not figured out what I need to do to get a treat. But, I'm sure with enough focus and determination, I'll understand what my mama needs me to do.

The other thing that I have been learning this week is climbing stairs.

I did not know what a "stair" was before I came to live with my mama. The place where I grew up was a big open place, and we didn't have to climb or go in any direction but side to side (and front to back). And, so, the up and down thing? New to me. But, I'm figuring it out. A few days ago, I could not even get to the first step. Now, I have not only surmounted that (it both senses of the word), I have discovered that the big step is a good place to go if I am looking to just chill. Sure, the slipper I'm resting on now is nice, but it's not always here.

And, as much as "sitting by the front door waiting for my mama to come back" is a good way to pass time, the floor is not as bouncy and soft as the big step, so that's where I've spent a little time. Not too much; my mama prefers me to not be on the step because she thinks that soon I'll be able to climb even more and - you know what? - she's right!

Today, I made it to the 5th step and I don't know how many steps there are to get to the top of the steps and I also don't know what is at the top of the steps but I'm going to figure out this mystery. "The Mystery of the Steps in My House"! Sounds like the name of an Agatha Christie book. And, how do I know about Agatha Christie? Well, I've lived in this home for a week and I've listened with one ear up and one ear down and I'm learning new things every day.

I can't wait to see what the next week will bring!

Grr, Arf, Yip

Ziggy